As the world braces for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, climate diplomacy enters a critical phase. With every fraction of a degree pushing ecosystems closer to irreversible tipping points, the role of mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the source—has never been more vital. Despite incremental progress, we are still far from where we need to be. The gap between climate ambition and real-world action continues to widen.
In 2023, global greenhouse gas emissions surged to a record 57.1 giga tones of CO₂ equivalent, a 1.3% increase from the previous year. This is not just a statistic; it’s a signal of systemic inertia in the face of a crisis that demands urgency. According to the United Nations Environment Program, we must cut emissions by 42% by 2030 from 2019 levels to have a chance at limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Yet, even if all countries met their current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), emissions would only fall by about 14%—nowhere near the level required.
This stark reality underscores a central challenge of our time: while the science is clear, the political and economic will to act remains fragmented and insufficient.
Turning Possibility into Policy: What Effective Mitigation Looks Like
So what can be done—and is it too late? The good news is that the solutions already exist. The challenge lies in implementation, investment, and accountability.
Renewable energy remains the most promising mitigation tool. Solar and wind energy alone could deliver over a quarter of the emissions cuts needed by 2030. These technologies are not only environmentally sound, but increasingly economically competitive. Many Global South nations, including Kenya, have vast untapped renewable potential that could power just transitions while fostering energy independence.
Equally important are nature-based solutions. Forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems are vital carbon sinks. Protecting and restoring them could contribute up to 20% of required emissions reductions in this decade. Yet, deforestation and land degradation persist, often driven by extractive industries and unsustainable agricultural practices. A paradigm shift is needed—one that values nature as infrastructure and communities as stewards.
Energy efficiency is another low-hanging fruit. Buildings, transportation, and industry must undergo rapid transformation. Globally, we need to double the rate of efficiency improvements by 2030—a goal that is both achievable and economically sensible, especially with smart technologies, grid modernization, and policy reform.
Meanwhile, technological innovation is opening new frontiers. Ocean-based carbon removal, green hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies are gaining ground. One standout example is Equatic’s new facility, which will remove over 100,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually while producing green hydrogen. These breakthroughs must be scaled rapidly, supported by research, investment, and equitable access.
Financing the Future: Mitigation Cannot Happen Without Money
One of the biggest obstacles to effective mitigation is financing. The global economy remains structured in ways that reward fossil fuel dependency while underfunding climate action.
Estimates suggest that developing countries will require $2.4 trillion annually by 2030 to fund both mitigation and adaptation. Yet, climate finance flows continue to fall short—both in volume and in equity. Only a small fraction of funding reaches local communities, youth-led initiatives, or indigenous stewardship programs.
Innovative financing mechanisms offer a path forward. Debt-for-nature swaps are being used in places like The Bahamas, where a $300 million restructuring plan will channel $120 million into marine conservation and climate action. Blended finance, which leverages public funds to de-risk private investment, is beginning to mobilize capital at scale for renewable energy and resilient infrastructure.
Still, more must be done. Climate finance must be predictable, accessible, and just. The Global North must honor past promises, including the long-overdue $100 billion annual commitment, while reforming international financial institutions to serve climate-vulnerable nations more fairly.
National Ambitions: Can COP30 Deliver?
Momentum is building in some countries. As the host of COP30, Brazil is taking the lead with a pledge to reduce emissions by up to 67% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, while launching a national carbon trading system and ramping up renewables. In the Global South, nations like Bhutan, Madagascar, Panama, and Suriname have already achieved net-zero emissions, offering models of ecological stewardship and low-carbon development.
Meanwhile, countries including Canada, Chile, the EU, and Norway are aligning their NDCs with a 1.5°C trajectory. But ambition must be matched with action—and critically, with accountability.
Centering Justice in Mitigation
Climate mitigation is not just about carbon numbers—it’s about people, power, and justice. Communities least responsible for the crisis are bearing the brunt of its impacts, while youth across the Global South are demanding a seat at the table. Mitigation strategies must account for historical responsibility, support vulnerable populations, and prioritize inclusive governance.
At Climate Governance Movement & Research (CGMR), we believe climate mitigation must go hand-in-hand with climate justice. Through policy advocacy, youth-led research, and multi-stakeholder engagement, we aim to hold decision-makers accountable while building bridges between communities and global processes.
The Way Forward: From Pledges to Progress
With COP30 approaching, the world stands at a crossroads. We can choose business-as-usual and lock ourselves into a catastrophic future—or we can choose bold, collaborative, science-driven action.
Mitigation is no longer optional. It is the defining challenge of this decade.
Its crucial to demand stronger national commitments, greater financial ambition, and policies that reflect the urgency of the moment. Let us build systems where sustainability is the default, and equity is the foundation.
The climate can’t wait—and neither can we.
“Mitigation is not an abstract concept. It’s a matter of survival, equity, and intergenerational justice.” – Abdisalam Ahmed Sheikh, Climate Governance Expert and Executive Director CGMR